Exercising hula-hoop assembly with radio frequency signal transmission and receiver unit

ABSTRACT

An exercising hula-hoop assembly with a radio frequency signal transmitter and a remote receiver unit includes an exercising hula-hoop, at least one depressible switch arranged on the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop, a switch contact assembly arranged within the inner space of the exercising hula-hoop. The switch contact assembly is operable by the depressible switch, so that a triggering signal is generated each time the triggering switch is depressed. The radio frequency signal transmitter generates a radio frequency signal when receiving a triggering signal from the switch contact assembly. The remote receiver unit receives the radio frequency signal transmitted from the radio frequency signal transmitter for counting and displaying.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This present invention relates to an exercising hula-hoop assembly, and more especially to an exercising hula-hoop assembly with a radio frequency signal transmitter and a remote receiver unit for receiving radio frequency signal transmitted from the transmitter.

[0003] 2. The Related Art

[0004] The conventional exercising hula-hoop presents a popular exercise and is a recreational device suitable for the entire family, fun and easy to use with little space taken. However, in exercising with the conventional exercising hula-hoop, the user executes boring and monotonous shaking motion, nor can the user get related information of the exercise. Thus, the user often loses interest after a while. The conventional art sought to improve this by adding to the exercising hula-hoop the capabilities for keeping track of calories burned, duration of exercise, number of rotations, and audio feedback, etc. found in other exercise equipment.

[0005] One of the prior art exercising hula-hoops is designed to have information displaying function. Such prior art exercising hula-hoop is equipped with a display unit, a battery, and a triggering switch, so that related excising information can be displayed on the display unit. However, this design has various drawbacks. For example, when the exercising hula-hoop is prone to collision or falling to the floor during use, electronic components mounted within the exercising hula-hoop are easy to be damaged.

[0006] Moreover, because the display unit is mounted on the exercising hula-hoop, the user is unable to read the related information displayed on the display unit during exercise. To read the display unit, the user must stop exercising, which is inconvenient. Furthermore, as batteries, display unit and electronic components are mounted in the exercising hula-hoop, it increases the weight of the hula-hoop and causes weight imbalance when shaking the exercising hula-hoop around.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Thus, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an exercising hula-hoop assembly with a radio frequency signal transmitter and a remote receiver unit, so that the use of exercising hula-hoop can be monitored and displayed by the remote receiver unit.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercising hula-hoop composed of a plurality of arched sections and a plurality of connecting rings coupled therebetween. At least one of the arched sections is mounted with a depressible switch for detecting the use of the hula-hoop.

[0009] The other object of the present invention is to provide an exercising hula-hoop assembly with a switch contact assembly including a conductive member covered with a waterproof layer. When the conductive member is depressed by a force applied from the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop, the conductive member is moved toward and contact a pair of contact pads, so that a radio frequency signal is transmitted by the radio frequency signal transmitter.

[0010] To achieve the above objects, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercising hula-hoop assembly comprising an exercising hula-hoop having an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface defining an inner space therebetween; at least one depressible switch arranged on the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop; a switch contact assembly arranged within the inner space of the exercising hula-hoop, operable by the depressible switch, which generating a triggering signal each time the triggering switch is depressed; a radio frequency signal transmitter arranged with in the inner space of the exercising hula-hoop and electrically connected to the switch contact assembly, for generating a radio frequency signal when the triggering signal is received from the switch contact assembly; and a remote receiver unit with a radio frequency signal receiving circuit for receiving the radio frequency signal transmitted from the radio frequency signal transmitter.

[0011] Preferably, the exercising hula-hoop is composed of a plurality of arched sections, at least one of the arched sections being mounted with the depressible switch, the switch contact assembly, and the radio frequency signal transmitter. The remote receiver unit is preferably equipped with an audio synthesizer for generating an audio signal and a plurality of switches for setting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercising hula-hoop assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the triggering section of the exercising hula-hoop of FIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the triggering section of FIG. 2;

[0016]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the remote receiver unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the display unit of the remote receiver unit of FIG. 5;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a functional circuit diagram of the radio frequency signal transmitter of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a functional circuit diagram of the radio frequency signal receiver of the present invention; and

[0021]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] With reference to FIG. 1, it is a perspective view of an exercising hula-hoop assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The exercising hula-hoop 1 of the present invention is mainly composed of a plurality of arched sections 11 and a plurality of connecting rings 12 coupled therebetween to form a substantially circular structure. One of the arched sections 11 servers as a triggering section 2 provided with a triggering switch 21 which is mounted on an interior surface of the triggering section 2 of the exercising hula-hoop 1. Further, a remote receiver unit 3 is located on a place at a proper distance from the exercising hula-hoop 1.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the triggering section 2 of the exercising hula-hoop 1 of FIG. 1. An inner space is defined in the triggering section 2. A radio frequency signal transmitter (described below) which can be actuated by the triggering switch 21 is installed within the inner space of the triggering section 2 of the exercising hula-hoop 1. So, each time the user shakes the exercising hula-hoop 1, the triggering switch 21 is actuated and then a radio frequency signal is transmitted by the transmitter. The transmitted signal will be received by the remote receiver unit 3.

[0024]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the triggering section 2 of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2. The triggering section 2 is composed of an interior casing 2 a and an exterior casing 2 b fastened by means of a plurality of fastening elements 213. The triggering switch 21 includes a depressible switch 211 which is mounted on a concave portion 212 formed on the interior surface of the interior casing 2 a of the triggering section 2. A pair of elastic members 214 are further inserted between the depressible switch 211 and the concave portion 212 of the interior casing 2 a. A contact plate 215 made of metal material is arranged in the inner space formed between the interior casing 2 a and the exterior casing 2 b and fixed onto the inner side of the depressible switch 211 by two fastening elements 216. So, when the depressible switch 211 is depressed by a force applied from the interior surface thereof toward the interior casing 2 a, the contact plate 215 is moved toward the interior surface of the exterior casing 2 b.

[0025] A printed circuit board 217 with a radio frequency signal transmitter thereon is mounted within the inner space of the exercising hula-hoop 1. A pair of separated contact pads 218 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 217 are fixedly located on the interior surface of the exterior casing 2 b in correspondence to the contact plate 215. In such arrangement, when the depressible switch 211 is depressed, the contact plate 215 is moved and contacts with the contact pads 218, so that a triggering signal is applied to the radio frequency signal transmitter arranged on the printed circuit board 217. A battery retainer with a battery cover 219 is formed on the exterior surface of the exterior casing 2 b. At least one battery 220 is retained in the battery retainer for supplying electric power to the radio frequency signal transmitter of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the remote receiver unit 3 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the display unit 31 of the remote receiver unit 3 of FIG. 5. As shown, the remote receiver unit 3 is provided with a display unit 31 for displaying various operational statuses of the excising hula-hoop. A depressible check/stop button 32 is arranged on the top end of the receiver 3. A hoop/clock button 33, a data setting button 34, and a mode selection switch 35 are further arranged on the front panel of the remote receiver unit 3 for setting.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 7, it is a functional circuit diagram of the radio frequency signal transmitter 100 installed within the exercising hula-hoop 1 of the present invention. The radio frequency signal transmitter 100 is arranged on the printed circuit board 217, with reference to FIG. 4, and includes an encoder 101, a frequency modulator 102, an amplifier 103, and an antenna 104. Each time the triggering switch 21 is depressed, a triggering signal S1 is generated and supplied to the encoder 101. An encoded triggering signal is then generated by the encoder 101 and supplied to the frequency modulator 102 which modulates the encoded triggering signal and forwards it to the amplifier 103 for signal amplification. Finally, the amplified signal is transmitted through the antenna 104. In this manner, the radio frequency signal transmitter 100 responds to the triggering signal S1 actuated by the triggering switch 21. That is, each time the triggering switch 21 touches the user's body, the radio frequency signal transmitter 100 transmits a radio frequency signal to the remote receiver unit 3.

[0028] More than one triggering switch 21 may be mounted on the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop 1 at different positions, and the radio frequency signal transmitter 100 responds to each triggering switch 21. Namely, each time the user's body depresses one of the triggering switches, the radio frequency signal transmitter 100 will emit a radio frequency signal corresponding to the depression of the triggering switches. In this manner, signals corresponding to user's body contacting the exercising hula-hoop at different points can be generated. This embodiment can be accomplished by modifying the circuitry of the radio frequency signal transmitter 10, such that each triggering switch 21 should have a respective wire electrically connected to the encoder 101. This modification can be easily accomplished by those who are skilled in this art.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 8, it is a functional circuit diagram of the remote receiver unit 300 of the present invention. The remote receiver unit 300 includes an antenna 301, a frequency demodulator 302, a filter-amplifier 303, a decoder 304, a counting circuit 305, a microprocessor 306, an audio synthesizer 307, and a display 31. In addition, a number of switches are connected to the microprocessor 306, including a check/stop button 32, a hoop/clock button 33, a data setting button 34, and a mode selection switch 35.

[0030] Radio frequency signals transmitted from the exercising hula-hoop 1 are received by the antenna 301 and then demodulated by the frequency demodulator 302. The demodulated radio frequency signal is then filtered and amplified by the filter-amplifier 303 before decoded by the decoder 304. The decoder 304 is capable of generating a series of counting signals S2 in accordance with the received radio frequency signal from the radio frequency signal transmitter 100 shown in FIG. 7, to the counting circuit 305 for counting. Then, the count number outputted from the counting circuit 305 is supplied to the microprocessor 306, and displayed on the display unit 31 when operating in hula operation mode.

[0031] The audio synthesizer 307 can generate an audio signal through a speaker 308 under control of the microprocessor 306 during the excising hula-hoop is used. Preferably, the audio synthesizer 307 is capable of generating the audio signal in different voices in response to the exercising hula-hoop mode or alarm-clock mode.

[0032] The display unit 31 receives digitized information from the microprocessor 306, which contains the aforementioned information under the exercising hula-hoop mode and digitized information of time/date under the alarm-clock mode.

[0033] In addition, the microprocessor 306 can receive various signals for setting the conditions of using the exercising hula-hoop via the check/stop button 32, the hoop/clock button 33, the data setting button 34, and the mode selection switch 35.

[0034] The check/stop push button 32 is used to check workout time, calorie consumption and total number of rotations of the hula-hoop. In addition, the check/stop button 32 is also used to turn off alarm and music during playing. The hoop/clock button 33 is used to display hoop time/clock time by pressing/releasing operation. The data setting button 34 is used to set and adjust time, alarm and other hoop setting functions. The mode selection switch 35 is used to select the excising hula-hoop of the present invention either operated in clock mode or hoop mode. In clock mode, the weekday, hour, minute and alarm time can be set. In hoop mode, the workout time, number of rotations, calories consumed, mute function button, music selection, and weight setting can be set.

[0035]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 4 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, most components and structures are similar to that of the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 4. So, the same reference numbers used in the previous drawing will be used to refer to the same or like parts.

[0036] Similarly, a printed circuit board 217 with a radio frequency signal transmitter thereon is mounted within the exercising hula-hoop 1. The triggering switch 21 a includes a pair of separated contact pads 218 electrically connected to the printed circuit board 217 and fixedly located within the exercising hula-hoop 1. An opening 221 is formed on the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop 1. A conductive member 222 is arranged in the opening 221, facing the contact pads 218 with a suitable distance. Further, a waterproof layer 223 covers on the opening 221 of the exercising hula-hoop 1 and attached with the conductive member 222.

[0037] When the conductive member 222 is depressed by a force applied from the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop 1, the conductive member 222 is moved toward and contact the contact pads 218, so that a triggering signal is applied to the radio frequency signal transmitter on the printed circuit board 217.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercising hula-hoop assembly, comprising: an exercising hula-hoop having an interior surface and an opposite exterior surface defining an inner space therebetween; at least one depressible switch arranged on the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop; a switch contact assembly arranged within the inner space of the exercising hula-hoop, operable by the depressible switch, which generating a triggering signal each time the triggering switch is depressed; a radio frequency signal transmitter arranged with in the inner space of the exercising hula-hoop and electrically connected to the switch contact assembly, for generating a radio frequency signal when the triggering signal is received from the switch contact assembly; and a remote receiver unit with a radio frequency signal receiving circuit for receiving the radio frequency signal transmitted from the radio frequency signal transmitter.
 2. The exercising hula-hoop assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the exercising hula-hoop comprising a plurality of arched sections and a plurality of connecting rings coupled therebetween, at least one of the arched sections being mounted with the depressible switch, the switch contact assembly, and the radio frequency signal transmitter.
 3. The exercising hula-hoop assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch contact assembly comprises: a pair of separated contact pads electrically connected to the radio frequency signal transmitter and fixedly located within the inner space of the exercising hula-hoop; and a contact plate made of metal material arranged in the inner space and moveable by the depressible switch, facing the contact pads with a distance; when the depressible switch is depressed by a force applied from the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop, the contact plate is moved toward and contact the contact pads.
 4. The exercising hula-hoop assembly as recited in claim 3, further comprising at least one elastic member inserted between the depressible switch and the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop.
 5. The exercising hula-hoop assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the radio frequency signal transmitter comprises: an encoder for receiving the triggering signal generated by the switch contact assembly and supplying an encoded triggering signal; a frequency modulator for receiving the encoded triggering signal supplied by the encoder and supplying a modulated signal; and an amplifier for receiving the modulated signal supplied by the frequency modulator and generating a radio frequency signal.
 6. The exercising hula-hoop assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote receiver unit comprises: a frequency demodulator for receiving the radio frequency signal transmitted by the radio frequency signal transmitter and supplying a demodulated signal; a filter-amplifier for filtering and amplifying the demodulated signal supplied by the frequency demodulator and supplying a demodulated and amplified signal; a decoder for decoding the demodulated and amplified signal supplied from the filter-amplifier and supplying a decoded signal; a counting circuit for receiving and counting the decoded signal from the decoder and obtaining a count number in correspondence to depressed number of the depressible switch; a microprocessor for receiving the count number of the counting circuit; and a display unit connected to the microprocessor for displaying the count number thereon.
 7. The exercising hula-hoop assembly as recited in claim 6, further comprising an audio synthesizer and a speaker for generating an audio signal in correspondence to the count number.
 8. The exercising hula-hoop assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the switch contact assembly comprises: a pair of separated contact pads electrically connected to the radio frequency signal transmitter and fixedly located within the inner space of the exercising hula-hoop; and a conductive member arranged in an opening formed on the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop, facing the contact pads with a distance; when the conductive member is depressed by a force applied from the interior surface of the exercising hula-hoop, the conductive member is moved toward and contact the contact pads.
 9. The exercising hula-hoop assembly as recited in claim 8, further comprising a waterproof layer formed on the opening of the exercising hula-hoop and covered on the conductive member. 